Chapter Text
Kate laid on the floor of her apartment, eyes fixed on the blurry light above her.
“Kate? I need to start stitching this now, and it’s gonna hurt. If it’s too much, tell me and we’ll take a break.”
Kate wasn’t used to the softness it Yelena’s voice. Goosebumps arose on her skin as she nodded to the blond, trying to put on a brave face.
Kate tried hard to muffle to cry of pain that ripped through her throat when Yelena pushed the needle through her skin. Her hand flew up to her mouth, and she bit down hard to keep herself from yelling. Cries pricked at the corners of her eyes, but Yelena was able to make quick work of the slash, and soon enough the stabbing sensation stopped.
“I am done. You should move somewhere more comfortable, you will need to rest for a few days or the stitches could rip.” Yelena stood, her cold expression returned to her face. She swiftly cleaned up the mess, throwing away the dirty supplies and washing her hands throughly.
Kate laid still for a moment, mentally rewinding through the night. Attempting to go shopping by herself, a rude cat-caller, and a temper that she should probably get better at controlling. In her defense, all she really did was flip him off and tell him to fuck off, which isn’t what she wanted to do! What she really wished she could do was shoot an arrow right into his perfect shiny fake teeth, but she didn’t bring her bow, so normal people anger would have to do. How was she supposed to know he would get so pissed about it? Pocket knives should really be better regulated around here.
Yelena cleared her throat, nudging Kate with the toe of her boot. “You are lucky I was in the city, Kate Bishop. Stop picking fights, especially when you are not prepared to win.” Yelena sat down on the couch, tucking her knees up to her chest and beginning to sip on a beer.
Kate fired upright, ignoring the screaming pain from her cut. “I need to stop picking fights?!? He started it! All I did was respond to him, this was his fault! And I could’ve beat him up if I wanted to, I just don’t particularly enjoy hurting people!” Kate scowled, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
Yelena’s eyes narrowed. “Kate Bishop, you are not a hero. You are barely an adult, do not get yourself killed before you have time to grow up and realize how immature you are right now. Understand me?” Her voice had a sharp edge, and her whites were white as she tightened her grip on the beer bottle.
It was her eyes that sent the shivers down Kate’s spine, though. The usual pale greenish brown had darkened to deep brooding almost black color , as if they were filled with thundering clouds and harsh lightning strikes. For the first time in a long time, Yelena scared her. She felt like a little girl again, curled up in a corner shaking, trying to become invisible to the world. To her father, to her mother, to everyone. They were going to hurt her. They were all going to hurt her, and she couldn’t protect anyone, especially not herself.
Kate gulped, the tears threatening to spill again. “I understand.” Her arms fell from her chest for a moment, but quickly returned as she tried to put on a brave face. “Yelena, I think you need to go. Just.. go.” She tried desperately to keep her voice steady and push away the cracks.
The clang of a beer bottle being heavily set against a table ringing through Kate’s ears as Yelena stood, her boots loud against the wood floor. Kate heard the door click.
“Please.. don’t leave me alone.” The sobs finally wracked through her body, her chest heaving with her breath. The pain from the cut almost felt drowned out by the overwhelming burn in her chest.